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Updated: May 24, 2026
11:17
Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
Published on: August 30, 2018
Antibiotic Stewardship for the Intensivist.
Armani M Hawes1, Sara E Cosgrove1
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Critical Care Clinics
|May 22, 2026
Summary
Intensive care units (ICUs) use the most antibiotics. Improving antibiotic stewardship in ICUs involves de-escalating or stopping antibiotics based on data and using shorter treatment durations to minimize exposure.
Area of Science:
- Critical care medicine
- Infectious diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Intensive care units (ICUs) admit the most critically ill patients.
- ICUs account for a significant portion of hospital antibiotic consumption.
- Optimal and timely antibiotic therapy is crucial for critically ill patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify opportunities for improving antibiotic use in ICUs.
- To promote antibiotic de-escalation and discontinuation strategies.
- To reduce overall antibiotic exposure in critically ill patients.
Main Methods:
- Reviewing antibiotic use patterns in the ICU.
- Implementing antibiotic de-escalation based on clinical data and cultures.
- Selecting shorter antibiotic durations guided by clinical trials.
- Collaborating with hospital antibiotic stewardship programs.
Main Results:
- Opportunities exist to optimize antibiotic prescribing in ICUs.
- De-escalation or discontinuation of antibiotics can be guided by data.
- Minimizing antibiotic exposure through shorter durations is beneficial.
Conclusions:
- Antibiotic stewardship initiatives are vital for ICUs.
- Tailoring antibiotic therapy based on patient data and evidence can improve outcomes.
- Collaboration between ICUs and stewardship programs is essential for effective antibiotic use.
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